Trip from Rustburg, VA to Arlington, VA

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

4h 3m

Distance

183 mi

295 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

3h 50m ★

6 AM

4h 3m

8 AM

4h 29m

10 AM

4h 12m

12 PM

4h 10m

3 PM

4h 13m

5 PM

4h 28m

8 PM

3h 55m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Rustburg, VA

Vladimir Srajber

Arlington, VA

Dominik Gryzbon

Trip Overview

This 183-mile drive from Rustburg, VA to Arlington, VA is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take around 4 hours and 3 minutes. You'll primarily follow US 29 and I-66, with Seminole Trail also part of the journey. With a highway share of 56%, expect a mixed driving experience. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is approximately $29. This route is a straightforward option for a single-day excursion within the Southeast region.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

91.5 miles from Rustburg, VA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive offers a mixed experience, with 56% of the route on highways. You'll encounter stretches on US 29, including a notable 64.2-mile segment without significant breaks, before transitioning to I-66. This progression means you'll experience both open-road driving and potentially busier highway conditions as you approach your destination. The profile suggests a blend of faster travel and more localized road conditions.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

US 29 is the longest continuous segment at about 64.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.9 miles in near US 29.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 183 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 9.9 miles (US 29): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.1 miles (US 15; US 29): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 153.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

9.9 mi into trip | ~14m in | US 29

Take the exit onto US 29 toward US 29 North: Amherst, Charlottesville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward US 29 North: Amherst, Charlottesville

142.1 mi into trip | ~3h 7m in | US 15; US 29

Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29 toward US 15 North, US 29 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left / straight lanes. Toward US 15 North, US 29 North

153.8 mi into trip | ~3h 24m in

Take the exit toward I 66 East: Washington

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 66 East: Washington

181.9 mi into trip | ~3h 59m in

Take the exit toward VA 120, VA 237

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 71 Toward VA 120, VA 237

182.3 mi into trip | ~4h in | VA 120 / North Glebe Road

Turn right onto VA 120 / North Glebe Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Rustburg, VA to Arlington, VA, road signs begin pointing toward Charlottesville along the way.

Charlottesville

9.9 mi in | ~14m | via US 29

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 29	64.2 mi	1h 19m
Seminole Trail	33.9 mi	48m
I 66	27.2 mi	33m
James Madison Highway	23.3 mi	30m
US 15	11.7 mi	17m
James Monroe Highway	7.7 mi	9m
Campbell Highway	7 mi	9m
Eastern Bypass	2.4 mi	3m

Longest stretch: US 29 — 64.2 mi, about 1h 19m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Rustburg, VA and Arlington, VA.

Start on SR 838

21 ft · 3 sec · Kabler Lane

Turn right onto US 501; VA 24

504 ft · 23 sec · Village Highway

Turn left onto US 501

7.0 mi · 9 min · Campbell Highway

Continue on US 501

0.8 mi · 1 min · Campbell Avenue

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward US 29 North, US 460 East: charlottesville, appomattox

Merge onto US 29; US 460

1.8 mi · 2 min · Richmond Highway

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit onto US 29

64 mi · 1 hr 19 min · US 29

Toward US 29 North: Amherst, Charlottesville Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec

Turn slight right onto US 29 BUS

144 ft · 10 sec · Emmet Street North

Continue on US 29 BUS

0.5 mi · 1 min · Emmet Street North

Continue on US 29

34 mi · 48 min · Seminole Trail

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 29

7.7 mi · 9 min · James Monroe Highway

Continue on US 15; US 29

23 mi · 30 min · James Madison Highway

Continue on US 15; US 17; US 29

2.4 mi · 3 min · Eastern Bypass

Keep slight left at fork onto US 15; US 29

12 mi · 17 min · US 15; US 29

Toward US 15 North, US 29 North Use the left / straight lanes.

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min

Toward I 66 East: Washington Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 66

27 mi · 33 min · I 66

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 31 sec

Exit 71 Toward VA 120, VA 237 Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on Fairfax Drive

0.1 mi · 24 sec · Fairfax Drive

Turn right onto VA 120

0.2 mi · 32 sec · North Glebe Road

Use the right lane.

Turn slight left onto Wilson Boulevard

0.5 mi · 1 min · Wilson Boulevard

Use the left lane.

Arrive at destination

Wilson Boulevard

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day. Consider an early morning departure from Rustburg to maximize your time and avoid potential traffic, especially as you near Arlington. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $29, planning is straightforward. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly before the longest stretch on US 29, to ensure a smooth journey.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 91.5 miles from Rustburg, VA, or about 1h 59m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.2 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 40 miles or 51m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 91.5 miles or 1h 59m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 19m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington, VA than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Rustburg, VA so your first major turns are already loaded.

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Rustburg, VA

This is one driving day of about 183 miles and 4h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Rustburg, VA.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on US 29 for about 64.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 91.5 mi from Rustburg, VA · 1h 59m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Charlottesville, VA

92 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Amherst, VA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lexington, VA

Meal break

The midpoint is around 91.5 miles from Rustburg, VA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 29 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.2 miles.

Arriving in Arlington, VA

The final approach into Arlington, VA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Arlington, VA.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.62 one way

$57.23 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 64 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.34	$31.29	$62.58
premium	$4.70	$33.87	$67.74
diesel	$5.61	$40.40	$80.81

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$29

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 64 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	54.9	$19.22	$8.78
Efficient EV	45.8	$16.01	$7.32
EV Truck/SUV	73.2	$25.62	$11.71

Gas CO2

64 kg

EV CO2

21 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Rustburg, VA

Late night in Rustburg on Thursday

Local time

12:20 AM

EDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Arlington, VA

Late night in Arlington on Thursday

Local time

12:20 AM

EDT

Current temp

52°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

6 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 3m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Rustburg, VA to Arlington, VA covers 183 miles and takes about 4h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 29, Seminole Trail, I 66. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 91.5 miles from Rustburg, VA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.62 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.